118
~Elara's POV
When we entered the mansion, the guards and maids bowed like they always did. The head maid hurried forward and informed us that dinner was already set on the table, but Darlon shook his head gently and told her that we had already eaten at the office, so she bowed again and disappeared into the hallway with soft footsteps that faded into silence.
We walked inside, and the place felt too quiet, almost like it was waiting for us to fill it with breath and movement, and I suddenly realized I was exhausted but my mind was still racing with designs, fabrics, anger, betrayal, planning, hope, and a small, dangerous tenderness that kept pulling me toward Darlon. We changed into our pajamas without much talking, the kind of silence that didn't feel heavy, just familiar, like we were two people who had shared too many storms to fear quietness anymore.
